Ensembles

Symphonic Band
1 Credit (fees required *)

Grades 9 - 12

Pre-requisite: One or more years of band at the Middle School level is required. 

Students enrolling for Symphonic Band will be placed in classes according to the instrument played.  Woodwind and Brass players are placed in separate classes to better meet the needs of the developing musician.  The emphasis in Symphonic Band coursework is on mastering the skills necessary to meet the Advanced Level of the Virginia Standards of Learning for Instrumental Music.   Students in this course are required to participate in the three school concerts as well as the VBODA District Concert Performance Assessment.  Students may also participate in the following optional events:  All-County and All‑District Band Auditions (students are required to participate in these events if selected), All-Regional Orchestra auditions and Solo & Ensemble Performance Assessment.  Small ensemble and/or solo work as well as music theory and history will be components of this course. 

This is a performance-based class and requires participation in concerts/performances and rehearsals outside of class time.  Students are expected to practice an average of 30 minutes per day.  

Wind Ensemble

1 Credit (fees required *)

Grades 10 - 12

Audition Required

Pre-requisite: One or more years of band at the High School level is required.  Students are required to pass a proficiency audition with the Director of Bands which will include all twelve major scales, chromatic scale for the full range of the instrument, a prepared selection and sight reading.

The emphasis in Wind Ensemble coursework is on mastering the skills necessary to meet the Artist Level of the Virginia Standards of Learning for Instrumental Music.  Students in this course are required to participate in the following events:  All-County and All‑District Band Auditions (students are required to participate in these events if selected) and the VBODA District Concert Performance Assessment.  Optionally, students may choose to participate in VBODA All-Regional Orchestra auditions and Solo & Ensemble Performance Assessment.  Four concerts of traditional and contemporary band works will be prepared and performed during the school year.  Small ensemble and/or solo work as well as music theory and history will be components of this course. 

This is a performance-based class and requires participation in concerts/performances and rehearsals outside of class time.  Students are expected to practice an average of 30 minutes per day.  

Jazz Ensemble

1 Credit (fees required *)

Grades 10 - 12

Audition Required

Pre-requisite: One or more years of band at the High School level is required.  Students will be required to pass a proficiency audition with the Director of Bands which will include all twelve major scales, chromatic scale for the full range of the instrument, a prepared selection and sight reading.

The emphasis in Jazz Ensemble coursework is on mastering the skills necessary to meet the Artist Level of the Virginia Standards of Learning for Instrumental Music.  Students in this course are required to participate in the following events:  All-County and All‑District Band Auditions (students are required to participate in these events if selected) and the VBODA District Concert Performance Assessment.  Optionally, students may choose to participate in VBODA All-Regional Orchestra auditions and Solo & Ensemble Performance Assessment.  Concerts of traditional and contemporary jazz ensemble works will be prepared and performed during the school year.  Small ensemble and/or solo work as well as music theory and history will be components of this course. 

This is a performance-based class and requires participation in concerts/performances and rehearsals outside of class time.  Students are expected to practice an average of 30 minutes per day.  

Percussion Ensemble

1 Credit (fees required *)

Grades  9 -12

(Permission from the
Director of Bands is
required prior to enrollment)

Pre-requisite: One or more years of band at the Middle School level is required. 

The emphasis in Percussion Ensemble coursework is on mastering the skills necessary for the performance of intermediate high school band literature.  Students in this course are required to participate in the three school concerts as well as the VBODA District Concert Performance Assessment.  Students may also participate in the following optional events:  All-County and All‑District Band Auditions (auditions are optional for this class, but students are required to participate in these events if they audition and are selected), All-Regional Orchestra auditions and Solo & Ensemble Performance Assessment.  Small ensemble and/or solo work as well as music theory and history will be components of this course. 

This is a performance-based class and requires participation in concerts/performances and rehearsals outside of class time.  Students are expected to practice an average of 30 minutes per day.  

Marching Band

no course credit
(fees required)

Grades 9 – 12

Pre-requisite:  Instrumentalist should have at least one year of middle school band experience.  Marching Band is a co-curricular activity at Mountain View High School, therefore all instrumentalist must be enrolled in a regularly scheduled band class.
Auxiliary members (Color Guard, etc.) audition for positions in May of each year and must attend a summer training camp.

The members of the Mountain View Marching Band will soon establish themselves as an integral part of the pride and spirit of Mountain View.  This dynamic group of young musicians performs regularly at all home football games.  The band provides the excitement and pageantry that is a vital part of the high school Friday night experience.  The band works with the cheerleaders, dance team and football team in providing an exciting, charged atmosphere for the entire school community.

The Mountain View Marching Band will also compete in field show competitions and parades during the fall season, representing Mountain View High School across the state of Virginia.  Students and parents should plan on three to five Saturday events during late September and throughout October.  Additional scheduling information can be found here.

Members of the Mountain View Marching Band will also have the opportunity to travel for a major performance in the spring of each year.   Only students who are fully involved in the marching band and remain in good standing throughout the school year will be allowed to participate in the Spring Trip.

Marching Band rehearsals begin in mid-August.  For more information on the summer band rehearsal schedule, click here.  The marching band will rehearse Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 2:30 to 5:00 after school from the beginning of school until mid-November.  Monday afternoons may be used for sectional rehearsals or student staff meetings.  Most Friday evenings are performance nights at Mountain View football games.  Students who are a part of the marching band will choose that as their "fall activity” and must commit to the time requirements specified.

Membership in the Mountain View Marching Band is open to any student enrolled in a band class.  In addition, the pageantry of the band is enhanced with the help of an auxiliary unit, or Color Guard, which is open to any student at Mountain View.  Auditions for this exciting group are held in May of each year.

For more information on the "Mountain View Marching Band", click here.